Rovio Names Directors for 'Angry Birds' Movie

COLOGNE, Germany – Animation veterans Fergal Reilly and Clay Kaytis have signed on to co-direct the feature film version of best-selling video game app Angry Birds.

Rovio Entertainment, the Finnish company behind Angry Birds, said Reilly and Kaytis will co-direct the 3D CG animated feature. Sony Pictures is handling worldwide marketing and distribution for the film, which has a July 1, 2016 release date.

Angry Birds will mark the directorial debut for both Reilly and Kaytis.

The two have worked on numerous studio projects. Reilly's credits include those as a storyboard artist on Hotel Transylvania and Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs. Kaytis has worked as an animator on such Disney films as Wreak-It Ralph, Bolt and the upcoming Frozen.

Jon Vitt penned the screenplay for the feature, based on the game in which rotund, furious birds catapult themselves into the fortresses of pigs that have stolen their eggs.

John Cohen and Catherine Winder will produce the Angry Birds feature with David Maisel as executive producer.

“I’m very excited that Fergal and Clay have joined us, bringing with them their vast expertise,” said Rovio CEO Mikael Hed. “They are two of the brightest rising talents in animation, and I’m confident we are building the right team to tell the story of Angry Birds and deliver an amazing movie experience to our fans.”

Capitalizing on the astounding worldwide success of the Angry Birds app, Rovio has already launched a weekly Angry Birds animated series which, the company says, has recorded more than 1 billion views since its bow in March.